Thailand Like You’ve Never Seen Before: Insider’s Guide

The insider advice on this page is from one of Wendy’s Trusted Travel Experts for Thailand: Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino.

Trusted Travel Expert

Daniel Fraser

A celebrity in Thailand as the host of several TV shows there, this Thai-speaking Canadian got his start in Asia working for the Thai royal family more than 20 years ago. With that celebrity comes the ability to open all sorts of doors in the country that others can’t (private lunches in the homes of famous architects and designers, exclusive tours of Bangkok’s underground art scene), either as a stand-alone half-day excursion or as part of a soup-to-nuts multi-day itinerary. In a region where tourism is booming, Daniel has a variety of tricks up his sleeve to keep travelers far from the hordes—whether that’s getting a private monk blessing in Wat Pho and entry to famous landmarks before they are open to the public, or visiting artisans’ workshops that are accessible only by boat. He has offices in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos, and is equally adept at delivering authentic local experiences there too.

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Expect trips orchestrated by Daniel to start at $800 per day for two travelers, which includes accommodations, transport, and custom-tailored experiences.

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What to See and Do

Wat Chedi Luang was the first temple in Chiang Mai. Photo: Pixabay/yjcxs1992

Most overrated place
Over-hyped hotel rooftop bars in Bangkok. They’re famous, sure, but you’ll have to wait in line, purchase a very expensive drink, and then jockey for space. Instead, Dan can recommend great bars, with great views, that are away from the masses.

Most underrated place
The picturesque town of Lampang is overlooked by most travelers to northern Thailand. Established during the Lanna Kingdom, it was always a bit of a backwater compared to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but it became a major teak-logging and trading center in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Louis T. Leonowens (son of Anna from The King and I) made it his home when he set up a teakwood trading business. The town itself resembles Chiang Mai as it was 50 years ago, with large teakwood mansions shaded by ancient trees, as well as spectacular wooden temples established by Burmese woodcutters to ask forgiveness from the forest spirits. Two weekend markets alternate on either side of the river, offering a large selection of authentic northern Thai arts, antiques, crafts, and edibles.

Hidden gem
Wat Suwannaram, in Bangkok, has original wall murals created by the two top artists in Siam in the early 1800s—the works are considered masterpieces of the Rattanakosin era—and .01% of the tourists that you’ll find at better-known temples around the city.

Cheap thrill
Thai massage: available everywhere, thoroughly relaxing, and at a fraction of the cost for a similar service in the West.

Bragging rights
Visit Bill Bensley and Jirachai Rengthong’s design compound, a quiet oasis in bustling Bangkok. Lek Bunnag, one of Thailand’s leading architects, who has collaborated with Bensley over the years, will join as well. Meet and chat with the three designers who have created some of the most spectacular resort properties in Asia, from Istanbul to Bali. Get a sneak peek at current projects and listen to entertaining stories while enjoying a private lunch catered by Kua Kling, the city’s most authentic and delicious southern Thai restaurant.

Jim Thompson was renowned for the monthly dinner parties he put on for movie stars, politicians, and artists at his Bangkok house, which is now preserved as a museum. Dan can arrange for private cocktails and/or dinner there, hosted by a senior curator, and invite some interesting local luminaries to join you.

Dan can arrange private picnics in idyllic locations across Thailand. Photo: Smiling Albino

Prime picnic spots
Bangkok was once known as the “Venice of the East,” and you can still conjure up the atmosphere that earned it that nickname with a picnic in a sala (gazebo) on a private canal pier. Watch the slow-paced canal life pass by while enjoying a great lunch from a nearby market or, for something a bit fancier, a five-star hotel.

Wiang Kum Kam is a historic settlement along the Ping River that predates the city of Chiang Mai. This is a large archaeological site with many beautiful ruins in various stages of restoration. Take a horse cart around the pleasant historical park to Wat Chedi Luang, the first temple of Chiang Mai, where you’ll find a table set up in the shade. Starting with a glass of white wine, enjoy a delicious lunch in an amazing location.

How to spend a lazy Sunday
Tha Kha Floating Market: Sit in a paddle boat and watch the market float by while snacking on whatever passing treats catch your fancy. About an hour outside Bangkok, this is one of the more authentic floating markets and is open only on weekends.

Where to Stay and Eat

Be sure to try some of Thailand’s delicious street food. Photo: Smiling Albino

Best bang-for-your-buck hotel
The luxury boutique hotel Ariyasom Villa retains its authentic Thai design and furnishings, taking guests back to 1950s Bangkok. It is located in the city’s upscale residential district, away from the riverside hotels, and offers an alternative base ideal for interesting urban walks (including through the foodies’ paradise of the Arab quarter). It is also situated on Bangkok’s main canal artery, providing easy transportation into the heart of the city. Executive Suite #208 was previously the family patriarch’s room and is richly decorated with dark woods and a four-poster bed.

Imagine taking in this view from one of Pa Sak Tong’s private villas in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Photo: Pa Sak Tong

Best-value splurge accommodations
Bangkok: The Siam. Filled with private collections of art and antiques belonging to the owner, this property offers a more private experience than the larger five-star hotels in the city do. Each of the 39 rooms has its own butler; there’s a guests-only Muay Thai gym with a professional instructor, and a Sak Yant (Thai spiritual tattoo) studio with one of the country’s top tattoo artists on call.

Northern Thailand: Pa Sak Tong is a private, luxurious, three-bedroom villa in Chiang Rai that comes with a personal butler, made-to-order meals by a highly trained personal chef, and your own pool, spa, and gym. It’s ideal for multi-generational families and groups of friends, and is close to the White Temple, Night Market, mountain hikes, and cycling routes.

Restaurants the locals love
Bangkok: Krua Apsorn is a small restaurant in the city’s Rattanakosin area that has served dedicated foodies, top government officials, and the occasional royal (take-away, of course) for decades. It’s particularly known for its massaman nua, an exquisite preparation of the mild beef curry dish thought to have been introduced by Muslim merchants during the Ayutthaya period.

Bangkok: Located in Chinatown, the Guay Jub Ouan Pochana food cart has decades of experience with its signature dish, guay jub, a rolled rice-noodle soup.

Chiang Rai: Locus Native Food Lab. This 14-seat restaurant is a fusion of a scientific laboratory, gallery, and botanical museum. Blending ethnic Karen, Akha, and other regional cuisines with traditional Lanna culture, there is just one ten-course set menu, which changes each month. The chef/owner is bringing back local wisdom to preserve northern Thai cuisine. The restaurant is usually fully booked a month ahead of time by locals, so you need to reserve far in advance.

Dishes to try
Bangkok: gui chaai, or chive dumplings, brought by the Teochew Chinese immigrants who settled on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. This vegetarian appetizer or snack was originally made as an offering to the gods during ceremonies; it has since become popular throughout Thailand, as it’s inexpensive and can be steamed or fried to meet various tastes. Try it from one of the roadside stalls beside the National Stadium and Ramkamheng University, or at one of the family-run restaurants behind Wat Arun, on the Thonburi side of the river.

Northern Thailand: gaeng hang lae. This thick and flavorful curry originated in Burma and is now famous in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. It can be made with various meats and seafood, but the best uses pork belly or wild boar. Most traditional northern and Thai-Shan restaurants do this well (Paste Bangkok does an excellent high-end version).

Southern Thailand: kua kling is a popular dry curried meat preparation in the south; the kaffir lime leaves really bring this spicy dish to life. Eat it with lots of fluffy Jasmine rice to keep the chiles at bay. You’ll often find it at southern-style food-tray restaurants or roadside eateries, but you can also try it in Bangkok at one of Kua Kling Pak Sot’s locations.

Dining by Design at Chiang Rai’s Anantara Golden Triangle resort. Photo: Anantara

Meal worth the splurge
Sitting on an elevated, torch-lit platform, Dining by Design overlooks the elephant camp and rice paddies at Chiang Rai’s Anantara Golden Triangle resort. Enjoy canapés as the sun sets over Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, then feast on a memorable meal in this evocative corner of the world as the elephants roam and drift to sleep. This is one of the finest dining experiences in Southeast Asia! It’s best experienced with family or friends, but could also make for a romantic and memorable honeymoon dinner.

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